HC notice to Punjab on CBI probe plea by ex-SSP, others

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday put Punjab government on notice over a plea by former senior superintendent of police (SSP) Charanjit Singh Sharma (now retired) and three other police officers, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the four FIRs registered by the Punjab Police in connection with the incidents of violence after the 2015 incidents of sacrilege.

HC bench of justice Rajan Gupta while issuing notice for October 26 has asked the state as well as the petitioners to assist the court with regard to its stay order against the probe by a SIT.

Besides, Charanjit Singh Sharma, other petitioners are (SP) Bikramjit Singh, inspector Pardeep Singh (now retired), then Bajakhana station house officer Amarjit Singh Kaler (now retired). All of them were named in the FIR registered for the firing on Sikh protesters at Behbal Kalan. Four FIRs in question are two registered on October 14, 2015, at Kotkapura and Bajakhana; third FIR on October 21, 2015 at Bajakhana and fourth on August 7, 2018, at Kotkapura.

The court was told that On August 24, the government took a decision to hand over the investigation of FIRs relating to violence to the CBI. However, in the assembly session on August 28, a decision was taken hand over the probe to a Special Investigation Team. In the meanwhile, the court stayed the proceedings.

However, SIT is proceeding further with the probe in full swing, the court was told, adding that they do not expect the state to conduct a fair and impartial investigation as all these decisions are being taken under political considerations.